Facebook working on a location tracking app

According to “two people with knowledge of the issue”, Facebook appears to be working on a smartphone app which will track the location of its users. Facebook’s new app will be heading our way in mid-March.

The app is designed to help users find nearby friends, although you have to wonder what sort of “friends” don’t arrange to meet up, but would rather be spontaneously alerted to the fact that they’re passing each other, but anyway. The app will supposedly track users even if the program isn’t actively running in the foreground, which is clearly a concern for those interested in protecting at least some of their privacy.

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It’s suspected that the app also has major benefits for Facebook’s revenue generating abilities, as it will be able to target advertisements to users based on their location. So Facebook will know when you’re at home and suggest pizza deliveries, and remember what times you go out for a coffee break and propose a new cafe. Spooky.

This would see Facebook focusing even more on its mobile ad revenue, which seems like something Facebook is probably keen to do after reportedly doubling its revenue from mobile devices.

Are you concerned, or is tracking a small price to pay for Facebook’s social media experience?